Ireland urges Hungarian Government "to cease targeting the LGBTQ+ community"

Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris issued a statement today, Wednesday, March 19, responding to new legislation in Hungary that bans Pride events.

"I am alarmed that the Hungarian Parliament has passed legislation which further restricts the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary," the Tánaiste said.

"The EU is founded on fundamental values which all Member States are obligated to uphold and defend.

"This development is the latest in a series of measures by the Hungarian Government which targets civil society space, independent media and minorities, including the LGBTQ+ community.

"Ireland will continue to stand up for those targeted by such regressive measures.

"We will also continue to strongly support the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary, and will vocally defend their rights, as guaranteed under EU Law.

"We urge the Hungarian Government to cease targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary and urge them to abide by their obligations under EU Law."

According to the Associated Press, the bill approved by Hungarian legislators in a 136-27 vote on Tuesday "amends Hungary’s law on assembly to make it an offense to hold or attend events that violate Hungary’s contentious 'child protection' legislation, which prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors under 18.

"Attending a prohibited event will carry fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546), which the state must forward to 'child protection,' according to the text of the law. Authorities may use facial recognition tools to identify individuals attending a prohibited event."

As the law passed on Tuesday, politicians opposing the new measures ignited smoke bombs in the Hungarian Parliament. 

The new measures, the AP notes, are part of a crackdown on Hungary's LGBTQ+ community by the nationalist-populist party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

After the vote passed on Tuesday, several thousand protesters chanting anti-government slogans gathered outside Hungary’s parliament. They later staged a blockade of the Margaret Bridge over the Danube, blocking traffic and disregarding police instructions to leave the area.

Other Irish politicians also sounded off against the new Hungarian legislation.

Former TD Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: "The right to gather peacefully is a fundamental right to be championed across the European Union."

Ragnar Almqvist, Ireland's Ambassador to Hungary, said "Freedom of association & assembly are fundamental rights under EU law," adding that "Ireland stands with the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary & across the EU."